Psalm 18:1,2 (NKJV) I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust. pictures are compliments of God and the scenery around my home.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The RIght Banner--Heaven or Bust

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”~ C.S. Lewis

Years ago a newsflash came out that a meteor was heading for earth. People had their theories of where it came from but they knew for certain where it was going to end up. Scientist and news reporters were making it sound like earth was its planned target and it was right on course. My dad was expecting them to show a picture of it with a sign or a banner attached to it that said, “Earth or bust.”

The ending of the meteor story was good but the end to the story of the spiritual meteor aimed at earth won’t go as well. We are living in such a backwards society it’s more than amazing. We have tossed and turned priorities, values, and what our main focus should be that we don’t know what we are aiming for. We’ve twisted the truth so much that we can’t tell the natural clouds from the man-made smog.

For example, sex use to be the added bonus of falling in love and getting married now it’s the key to all life’s problems and marriage never even has to be considered. The way we handle money is so out of control we are in a financial freefall heading for bust. We’ve taken our eyes off the main target of Heaven and put up a new banner stating, “Earth or bust, it’s my choice.”

Long before C.S. Lewis said it Jesus told us this same thing in His sermon on the mount when He pointed out, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. He gave us a starting point towards Heaven like the Good Witch did for Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz heading her towards the Emerald City on the yellow brick road.

We need to get back to that starting point with God that will aim us towards Heaven. It doesn’t have to be “earth or bust” it can be “Heaven and everything else that we pick up along the way. “

We’re people who enjoy bargains or great bonuses, things that will get us more instead of less. Then why do we fight against or ignore such a great deal as “all or nothing in Christ.” Perhaps it’s because we want to do it our way. Go figure! We have reasoned with ourselves that life is too short so we need to live it our way and then at the end we can come around to God’s way just before impact.

Wrong traveling plans, wrong banner! Our banner should be Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:15) “The Lord is my banner.” It’s time to change. It’s time to aim for Heaven. To seek first not last, not when we feel like it the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The first step is ours and then after that we can sit back and watch God take it from there. We won’t be disappointed.

The gravitational pull of Heaven is greater because the God of the Heavens is greater than the ruler of the earth. (1 John 4:4). Never doubt it. Just get out the right banner and stick to the right track to Heaven and let God do the adding along the way.

My newest contribution October 2011

The excitement continues as I get to be a part of another great book called "Love is a Verb"

Karen

Another sunny day in Oregon

W.I.T.H.

Women in the House of God

W.I.T.H. Women in the House Ministry bible studies can be seen now over at withministry.wordpress.com. I'm still getting the Bible studies added to the site but they will be there for those who would like to follow along. It's been a fun adventure and one of great learning as we walk our way through God's Word and the lessons He has for us to learn.

Our Chronological study is going well. We have managed to make our way up thru the books of Samuel, King, and Chronicles. Its been an interesting study as we look for lessons we can learn from our Bible Buddies and apply them to our own lives.